Quarantined with your declining mental health? Here’s how to help!
As we approach the summer months, many people are feeling very different than usual for this time of year. Gone for many of us is the excitement of planning a vacation, catching a baseball game, or browsing the malls for a new summer wardrobe. Instead, we find ourselves in a world of near empty highways, no sports, closed storefronts, and general uncertainty as to when things will revert to the way they were before. In recent months, some of us have lost our jobs, some have been working remotely, and essential employees, while still working on-site, are dealing with extreme conditions that have greatly affected their day-to-day routines.
These dramatic changes can greatly affect our mental health, leaving many of us feeling isolated, depressed, worried, hopeless, and bored. As someone who lives alone and does a majority of his social interacting in the office, I have certainly felt all of the above in the recent weeks while being quarantined at home. Not to mention, a world without baseball has been pretty hard for me to handle. If you’re feeling the same way that I am, below are four tips to help adjust to these difficult times and improve your mental health.
1.FOCUS ON INDOOR BASED HOBBIES
Just because we are inside doesn’t mean we still can’t enjoy our lives. There are many great hobbies that people can pursue at home such as reading, writing, crafting, and many others. Personally, I have been using this time at home to focus on my guitar playing and song writing, taking some of my frustrations and negative feelings and expressing them in a positive and healthy manner. Regardless of which hobby you choose to take up, finding a new positive way to spend our time inside can be greatly beneficial for us now and even in the long run.
2.UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY
Whether it is a virtual company meeting or a video chat with friends, there are many ways to interact with others in a socially distant, and safe way. Individuals and companies can take advantage of video conferencing technology to help stay socially interactive and promote team building, respectively. Try having a group video chat with friends, family, or even co-workers. I am proud to say that Infinia Search has done an excellent job of coming up with creative ways for our team to interact daily while working remotely, including virtual happy hours and interactive games. Outside of work, I have daily FaceTime calls with family members, and have done a few remote trivia nights with friends via Zoom. Now is the time to utilize the tools we have to stay socially interactive while being socially distant.
3.TRY SOMETHING NEW
Have a lot more free time these days? Why not check that show on Netflix that you never got around to watching? Always been interested in technology? Why not take up a coding course online? Ever thought about learning a new language? Now’s the time to take advantage of the extra time normally lost to long commutes or picking the kids up from school. As for me, well I’ve never written a blog before this, and figured now is as good of a time as any to give it a shot. Trying something new can help you attain new skills and even help you discover a new passion. These new skills and passions will last a lifetime far beyond quarantine.
4.KNOW THAT YOU’RE NOT ALONE
Sadly, all of us have been affected by this pandemic in one way or another. Know that you are not alone and that others are feeling similar things in these uncertain times. These past several weeks have been extremely difficult for myself personally, and I’ve often felt lost and hopeless, but I do get comfort in knowing that I am not the only one feeling this way right now. Numerous resources exist for those struggling from severe health issues during these trying times including the National Crisis Lifelife at 1-800-273-8255. Don’t forget to reach out to friends, family members, or even coworkers if you are feeling overwhelmed or lost. We are all in this together and always remember that you are not alone.
I hope the above tips help to make a difference and are relatable to those of you reading this blog. Remember, we are all in this together and we will get through this difficult time!